Former Carroll jurist certified as senior judge
The Indiana Judicial Nominating Commission has certified a new senior judge to serve in Indiana’s trial courts.
Indiana Supreme Court
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Report: Lawyers’ pro bono activity increases in Indiana
Pro bono activity is increasing among Indiana attorneys, with more than half of all non-exempt lawyers licensed in the state contributing time, money or both, according to a report released Friday by the Indiana Supreme Court.
Carmel attorney gets 90-day suspension for disobeying court order
An attorney with a history of financial hardships already under suspension for failing to pay her dues has been suspended from the practice of law in Indiana for 90 days with automatic reinstatement.
Justices hear probable cause questions in case of $60K seized cash
Questions of whether probable cause existed for law enforcement to seize more than $60,000 in cash from a FedEx package were heard before the Indiana Supreme Court on Thursday, with an attorney for the state urging justices to overturn recent precedent to allow the seizure.
Low February bar pass rate likely to get post-appeal bump
As the Indiana legal profession begins to draw conclusions from the February 2019 bar exam results in which fewer than half of test-takers passed, it might want to keep in mind Yogi Berra’s observation: It ain’t over till it’s over.
February bar passage rate falls below 50 percent
Indiana’s February bar exam results continued their downward slide with the 2019 overall pass rate dropping to 45 percent, the lowest rate recorded in the past 17 years, according to results released Monday.
Pulaski County launches 100th Hoosier problem-solving court
Indiana’s court system is now home to 100 problem-solving courts, the Indiana Supreme Court announced Monday. A veterans treatment court was recently certified in Pulaski County, marking the 100th problem-solving court to be certified in the Hoosier state.
Lawyer charged with defrauding elderly pleads guilty
A former South Bend lawyer who was charged with scamming elderly investors has pleaded guilty to some charges in the case.
AG Hill: Argument for ethics hearing panel ‘fatally flawed’
The briefing battle between Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill and the Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission has continued this week, with Hill arguing in new court filings that the commission’s attempts to convince the Supreme Court to proceed with the case consist of bootstrapping, red herrings and fatal flaws.
Majority justices reverse probation violation for judge’s inconsistent statements
A probation violation will be removed from a convicted sex offender’s record after a divided Indiana Supreme Court determined a trial judge’s inconsistent statements meant there was insufficient evidence to support a finding of a probation violation.
Indiana Judicial Conference seeking comments on proposed changes to child support guidelines
Proposed revisions to Indiana’s Child Support Guidelines, which are used to make decisions about child support in all actions for child support including divorces, legal separations, paternity cases and Title IV-D proceedings, have been posted for public comment, with feedback requested by noon on May 17.
Indiana Court Decisions — March 13-27, 2019
Read Indiana appellate court opinions for the most recent reporting period.
Juvenile waiver bill stirs controversy at Statehouse
A proposal that would send children as young as 12 to adult court on attempted murder charges sailed through one house of the Indiana General Assembly before meeting resistance — including from a bill sponsor.
AG Hill’s attorney discipline case raises new questions
The disciplinary complaint against Hill raises new questions about the disciplinary process itself, including who can preside over the proceedings and what would happen if the state’s chief legal officer loses his law license, even temporarily. But those questions aside, ethics attorneys say Hill’s status as a prominent elected official shouldn’t have any bearing on the nuts and bolts of the discipline process.
Disciplinary Commission: AG Hill claiming he is above ethics rules
The Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission has accused Attorney General Curtis Hill of seeking special treatment in the disciplinary proceedings brought against him, arguing in court filings that Hill’s case must go before a hearing panel to protect the public interest.
‘Pursuit of happiness’ marijuana case seeks Hoosier justices’ consideration
A case dealing with a man’s constitutional right to the pursuit of happiness in the form of a marijuana blunt is possibly headed to the state's highest court now that a petition to transfer has been filed.
Justices: ‘Reliable assurance’ of accident defense upholds conviction in baby’s death
A man’s convictions of neglect of his infant daughter resulting in death was affirmed Wednesday by the Indiana Supreme Court when justices ruled it was not improper under Indiana Evidence Rule 404(b) to admit other-bad-acts evidence to show lack of accident, so long as a there was reliable assurance that an accident defense would be raised.
Justice deny transfer to 13 cases
The Indiana Supreme Court denied granting transfer in any of the 13 cases brought before its bench last week, including a case involving a gun robbery consisting of more than a dozen firearms and a debt suit lacking malicious intent.
Hamilton County magistrate judge suspended after arrest in meth sting
A Hamilton County magistrate judge has been suspended by the Indiana Supreme Court as he faces a felony methamphetamine possession charge and other counts after he allegedly bought meth from a police informant. The judicial officer also is accused of biting the thumb of an officer who tried to pry the bag of meth from the magistrate judge’s mouth.
South Bend attorney suspended for noncooperation
The Indiana Supreme Court has suspended a South Bend attorney from the practice of law after previously ordering her to show cause as to why she should not be immediately suspended for noncooperation with a disciplinary investigation against her.